Tenant Rights, Laws and Protections: Illinois
Legal Assistance Rental Help Utility Bills Homelessness
Legal Assistance Rental Help Utility Bills Homelessness
Find information on the legal responsibilities and rights of renters and property owners.
If you are looking for help with a legal problem, contact a legal assistance organization.
General
- It is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. Learn more.
- Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) organizations may be able to speak to a housing provider on your behalf; investigate, including testing, to help determine if you experienced discrimination; and provide you with assistance.
- If you believe your rights may have been violated or are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to submit a complaint.
- Because there are time limits on when a complaint can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should submit a complaint as soon as possible.
- You may file a complaint online, call us toll-free at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339 (TTY), or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.
- Housing & Apartment Information and Resources (340+ articles on Eviction; Leasing or renting a home; Foreclosure; Owning or buying a home; Utilities; Security deposits; Section 8 Vouchers and public housing; Housing discrimination; Housing repairs; and other issues)
- Housing Action Illinois
- Access Living or (800) 613-8549 / (888) 243-7003 (Toll Free TTY): A center of service, advocacy, and social change for people with disabilities.
- National Housing Law Project
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
- Illinois Attorney General
- Illinois State Bar Association Guide to Landlord-Tenant Law
- Illinois Department of Children & Family Services: Housing Rights and Responsibilities
- Illinois Housing Handbook
Resources in Chicago
- Chicago Renters’ Rights Hotline at (312) 742-7368: Information and assistance on legal responsibilities and rights of renters and property owners.
- Chicago Housing Showcase: Resources and information on programs and opportunities for Chicago homeowners, property owners and renters.
- Chicago Department of Housing or (312) 744-4190
- Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance
- Rentervention Chat Bot or text “hi” to 866-7RENTER (866-773-6837): Free and confidential help with legal advice, tenant-landlord issues, and community resources.
- Metropolitan Tenants Organization or 773-292-4988 (Tenants Rights Hotline)
- Center for Conflict Resolution or (312) 922-6464: Free landlord-tenant mediation.
- Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance or (872) 228-7844
Need Help?
- If you believe your rights may have been violated or are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to submit a complaint. Because there are time limits on when a complaint can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should submit a complaint as soon as possible. You may file a complaint online, call us toll-free at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339, or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.
- Contact a housing counseling agency
- HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
- They can offer independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, credit issues, reverse mortgages, and other issues.
- Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.
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